Wildlife Education

Since 1977, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation has been dedicated to nursing injured native wildlife back to health and returning them to the wild. During this time we have learned many interesting things about the habits and characteristics of these amazing creatures. That understanding has allowed us to assist thousands of homeowners and businesses involved in real (and sometimes imagined) conflicts with wildlife and to do so in a nonlethal manner. A call to our Hotline Specialist can bring immediate help.

One result of these experiences is our educational program. WRR is proud to offer educational information to community groups and schools about a variety of topics related to wildlife. Homeowners learn to better understand the role of urban wildlife in their environment, and children learn to engage the natural world without fear.

Educational Materials & Presentations

Wildlife Rescue offers educational programs for community groups, including HOAs and other organizations interested in understanding and living in harmony with wildlife. Additionally, we provide schools with our “Through Animals Eyes” program that features a DVD with a curriculum guide and a checklist that teaches how to avoid human/wildlife conflicts. Our presentations focus on the natural history of native wildlife with the aim of fostering a deeper respect for animals and their habitats. Out of respect for these animals, and in keeping with our philosophy that animals are not to be used for entertainment purposes, we never bring live animals to any public speaking engagement.

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Young Rescuers-to-Be

Want to be a hero to a gaggle of geese? A friend to raucous raccoons? A champion of the mighty mountain lion? As wildlife rescuers, we spend our lives learning about animals. We use our knowledge to help when animals are in need — even when they are very sick or injured. By learning about nature we also discover what kind of habitat to look for when we release these wonderful creatures back into the wild!

If you want to join us in our fight to protect wildlife, the time to start is now! Learn all you can about animals and help others understand that the needs of animals are much the same as our own. After all, we all need healthy food, clean water, and a safe place to live.

To grow up to be a wildlife rescuer, pay close attention in your classes at school and spend your free time observing the life going on all around you. You may not have a wide variety of wildlife in your backyard, but you will be amazed by who and what you see if you really take the time to watch.

So, young rescuer–enjoy the game and information below and let us know what you think.
The time to help wildlife is now!

Going to the Zoo?

Although living conditions for animals in zoos have improved considerably over recent decades, there is still considerable disagreement about the rightness of choosing to keep wild animals captive for exhibit. While zoos are becoming more involved in education and conservation activities, their primary objective continues to be entertainment and profit.

Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation believes that keeping, breeding and displaying wild animals in zoos does not respect the essential nature of the animals or their need to live the kind of life that evolution has prepared them for. We believe it is cruel to strip them of the ability to roam free and to keep them in a cage (even a very pretty cage) for their whole lives. (The animals at WRR, while captive, are not kept in cages or small living areas and live in sanctuary only because there is no other place for them to live. Zoos, on the other hand, have chosen to keep wild animals captive and breed them for this purpose.)

Remember how it feels to be “caged up” when you are home sick for a day or two? Now imagine how you would feel if your whole life were spent like that. No school, no playground, no swimming pool or amusement park — and no sleepovers or summer camp! Pretty boring. Nonetheless, many families and schools take trips to the zoo. If you find yourself on such a trip, you can be a detective for the animals.

Zoo Detective Questions

To determine if the animals are being well cared for, try answering these questions:

Is the animal being kept in an exhibit that is similar to his or her natural habitat (grassland or forest, for example)?

How much room does the animal have? Can she move around, run, climb, play, hide, and explore?

Does the animal live alone or are there others with him? (Is he a social animal in the wild?)

Is there plenty of clean water for the animals to drink or, if they wish, to play in?

Is the area clean? Does it have shade? Does the animal look healthy?

How is the animal behaving? Does she appear stressed, angry, tired? Is she pacing repetitively?

Where are the animals kept when the zoo is closed?

If you were one of these animals, can you imagine what it would feel like to live in the zoo? Would you be comfortable with the public paying you a visit every day, all day?

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ABOUT

Wildlife Rescue’s Vision is that humans come to see that we are members of a vast life community, that we experience the proper gratitude and respect for this community, and that we live in a more appropriate and compassionate manner in relation to the whole.

WRR was founded in 1977 in San Antonio, Texas. Since 2001 its primary base of operations has been located on 212 acres near Kendalia, Texas, a property which was purchased through the generosity of three of our supporters.